State league affiliate: Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: North Adelaide v Adelaide - Saturday July 2, 2.10pm, Prospect Oval
Harry Dear booted an impressive six goals in his side’s gutsy 15-point win over the Roosters.
The 19-year-old, who is untried at AFL level, slotted three goals in the third term alone to overturn a 21-point deficit into a nine-point advantage.
Dear had outstanding service from midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen (26 touches), who continues to perform at SANFL level.
Exciting youngster Wayne Milera also rarely missed a target all day and ended with 24 disposals and eight inside 50’s.
Rookie Tom Doedee stood tall down back for the second consecutive week and was named among the best, along with Andy Otten who had 24 possessions. The pair combined for nine intercept marks.
State league affiliate: Brisbane Lions (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Northern Blues (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Northern Blues - Saturday July 2, 4pm, Holden Centre
Midfielder Nick Graham will be a topic of conversation at the Blues' match committee meeting this week after his game-high 36-possession performance in his side's 13-point loss.
The 22-year-old also accumulated 10 inside 50s and nine clearances to cap his eye-catching display through the middle.
Following a month-long layoff to nurse a fractured wrist, Blaine Boekhorst made a good return with 16 touches and two goals switching between wing and half-forward roles.
Fellow ball-winner Mark Whiley contributed to the Blues' second-half revival and finished with 26 disposals and eight tackles, while talls Liam Jones and Kristian Jaksch kicked two goals apiece.
State league affiliate: Collingwood (VFL)
This weekend: Collingwood v Northern Blues - Saturday July 2, 4pm, Holden Centre
Forward Jesse White put the disappointment of being axed from the Magpies' squad behind him, playing a pivotal role in his team's 13-point win.
The 28-year-old impressed from the outset and kicked the first of his two goals early in the game after marking directly in front of goal.
White troubled the Blues' defenders playing as a deep forward and snapped his second goal before half-time to hand the Magpies a 40-point lead.
The Blues cut the margin to just seven points in the dying stages, but White proved his worth when it mattered most by latching onto a strong overhead mark in defence, which led to the match-sealing goal.
Defender Adam Oxley's efforts in the win didn't go unnoticed, while Tim Broomhead emerged unscathed in his comeback from an ankle injury in managed game time.
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Port Melbourne - Saturday July 2, 2.10pm, Windy Hill
Ruckman Shaun McKernan did not play after experiencing tightness during the week, but is almost certainly expected to be available next week.
The Bombers took a no-risk policy with McKernan, after senior pair Matthew Leuenberger (knee) and Mark Jamar (hamstring, MRP scrutiny) are in doubt to be available against St Kilda next Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
Rookie Gach Nyuon suffered a corkie to his hip early in the contest and sat out the game, forcing Sam Michael into the primary ruck role. Michael competed hard all day and will likely compete with McKernan for a spot in the senior team.
Last year's No. 6 selection Aaron Francis once again displayed his marking skills in Essendon's seven-point loss to Port Melbourne.
He took five intercept marks in the second quarter alone.
Midfield duo Kyle Langford (28 disposals) and James Polkinghorne (26) provided strong bodies inside the contest and were keys to the Bombers closing the margin, after they trailed by 28 points at the main break.
Conor McKenna was let loose in the second half and his rebound off half-back was important, as he notched 23 disposals. The Irishman's influence proved vital in the Bombers improving their ball use.
State league affiliate: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Geelong (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Gold Coast (NEAFL)
This weekend: Gold Coast v Southport - Saturday July 2, 10am, Metricon Stadium
Jaeger O’Meara made his long-awaited return to football after being a late inclusion in the side that defeated Southport by 33 points on Saturday afternoon.
There were no signs of tentativeness from the 22-year-old who ruptured his patella in April last year, collecting 15 touches and setting up two goals before watching the second half from the boundary.
O’Meara demonstrated why he was renowned as one of the brightest young talents in the game, with his clean hands and hard running a focal point in the first half.
There is no timeframe yet on when the gun onballer will rejoin the senior line-up, but O’Meara was thrilled to be on the comeback trail after his first game in 15 months.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” he said.
“I haven’t played for a long time and to get the first one out of the way and get through unscathed and feeling good about myself, it’s awesome.”
First-year draftee Jarrod Garlett was also a shining light in the victory with a game-high four goals, while untried wingman Joshua Schoenfeld (27 disposals, 13 marks and two goals) had his best game for the club.
State league affiliate: Giants (NEAFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Box Hill (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Casey Scorpions (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Casey Scorpions - Sunday July 3, 2.10pm, Punt Road Oval
Experienced midfielder Jack Grimes, who has been named as an emergency in the Demons' countless times this season, impressed with 29 disposals in Casey's two-point win.
Youngster Alex Neal-Bullen positioned himself well all game to end with 27 touches and a goal, while Viv Michie and omitted Demon Clayton Oliver were also reliable in the middle with 31 and 24 disposals respectively.
Fellow axed midfielder Jack Trengove warmed up with the Demons' squad at the MCG – in case of a late change for their clash against Adelaide – before lining up for Casey in the second half.
Trengove played on the wing and laid an early tackle, working into the game as players from both sides began to tire.
Defender Heritier Lumumba got through unscathed after missing the past two months with concussion, bringing his experience to Casey's defence despite showing some rusty decision-making early.
State league affiliate: Werribee (VFL)
This weekend: Bye
State league affiliate: Port Adelaide (SANFL)
This weekend: Central District v Port Adelaide - Saturday July 2, 2.10pm, My Money House Oval
Maligned forward John Butcher produced an eye-catching performance, booting six goals in his side’s 39-point win over Central District.
Butcher, who has come under scrutiny in the past for his inaccurate goalkicking, was reliable in front of goal and displayed strong hands to end with nine marks.
The key forward has been serviceable in the SANFL for a number of weeks, but hasn’t been able to break into the Powers’ resurgent forward line this season.
Utility Paul Stewart responded in the best possible fashion to his recent demotion, gathering 38-disposals and an impressive 18 marks in an assured performance across half-back.
Stewart’s lofty disposal tally was only topped by recruit Jimmy Toumpas, who had 39 of his own.
Sam Colquhoun and Sam Gray were also prolific with 30 disposals apiece, while wingman Jared Polec worked tirelessly for his 28 possessions.
State league affiliate: Richmond (VFL)
This weekend: Richmond v Casey Scorpions - Sunday July 3, 2.10pm, Punt Road Oval
Youngster Jason Castagna gave the Tigers a spark with 23 touches and three second-half goals in the two-point loss.
The 19-year-old, who has played two games with the senior squad this season, showed off his blistering speed and snapped a nice goal in the final term after receiving a quick handball from tall forward Liam McBean.
McBean ended with two majors of his own, including a crafty left-foot snap, and dished off a couple of shots at goal to cap his encouraging afternoon.
Forward Daniel Rioli returned to competitive action after missing last week to attend his grandfather's funeral, featuring in the VFL for the first time.
Rioli made a costly mistake in the second term by kicking the ball from a centre clearance in the wrong direction – and inside the opposition's forward line – which resulted in a Casey goal.
Midfielder Andrew Moore had a big day with a team-high 25 disposals and a goal, while half-forward Ben Lennon threw himself into packs in his return from a two-month shoulder injury.
Rookie Adam Marcon went down with a suspected left shoulder issue, and had little to no impact from the midway point of the third term as he spent extended periods on the bench.
State league affiliate: Sandringham (VFL)
This weekend: Sandringham v Frankston - Sunday July 3, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Coming off his 37-possession performance last week, ball-winner Eli Templeton took the honours with 33 disposals and six tackles in the 60-point win.
Sandringham coach Paul Hudson told AFL.com.au on Sunday evening that Templeton had again performed his role with aplomb.
"He's done everything right if the opportunity came up at AFL," Hudson said.
Yet-to-debut rookie Nick O'Kearney, who last week had 27 touches and booted three goals, continued to show promising signs with 22 disposals, nine tackles, six marks and a goal.
"He's really relished the last three or four weeks," Hudson said of the No.5 pick in last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
"Nick's played on the wing for us, he's played up forward and executed what we wanted from him."
State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v NT Thunder - Saturday July 2, 12.55pm, SCG
Axed Swan Aliir Aliir shone in his return to the NEAFL, collecting 26 disposals and eight marks in an imposing defensive performance.
The smooth-moving 21-year-old generated several counter attacks as a key defender in the 66-point win and will stake claims for an immediate recall.
Midfielder Brandon Jack, who is yet to feature at senior level this year, was also prominent with 27 disposals.
Untested rookie Jordan Foote laid an impressive 14 tackles to go with his two goals, while Xavier Richards shifted forward to boot a game-high three goals.
Jack Hiscox hasn’t featured at senior level since his debut in round 7 earlier this year, but was named in the best after finishing with 29 disposals, nine marks and a goal.
State league affiliate: East Perth (WAFL)
This weekend: South Fremantle v East Perth - Saturday July 2, 2.15pm, Fremantle Community Bank Oval
The Eagles received a huge boost with key pair Dom Sheed and Jack Redden starring in the Royals’ upset 16-point win.
Sheed showed plenty of polish in midfield after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle and recurring knee pain, which had kept him sidelined since March.
The highly-touted youngster finished the game with 26 disposals and a goal in carefully managed game time.
Redden, who was the most notable omission from the senior line-up, produced a best-on-ground performance to end with 28 possessions and three goals.
The midfield duo were also well complemented by experienced utility Xavier Ellis (30 touches) and youngster Liam Duggan (22 disposals, seven tackles and a goal).
The only blight on the Eagles’ positive afternoon were injuries to Kane Lucas (knee) and Fraser McInnes (hamstring).
State league affiliate: Footscray (VFL)
This weekend: Coburg v Footscray - Saturday July 2, 1pm, Piranha Park
Four goals and 17 disposals from Tom Boyd was the major talking point after Footscray's 12-point loss to Coburg, but Koby Stevens' 39 disposals was arguably the highlight, in his return from an abdominal strain.
Stevens showed little sign of rust after his first game since round nine, playing predominantly as an inside midfielder.
In another promising comeback, Roarke Smith looked comfortable in his first game since last August after rupturing his ACL in his left knee.
His toughness was exceptional, with the highlight a pack mark in the third term.
Mitch Honeychurch picked up 29 disposals in a solid performance, while axed big man Tom Campbell was decent as the primary ruckman.
Joel Hamling started up forward but played his best footy in the backline, with his intercept marking making life difficult for the Lions as they tried to exit defence, especially in the final term.
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